Category: Fashion
An Epiphany.. x
Yesterday, the 6th of January was Epiphany – the Christian feast celebrating the wise men meeting baby Jesus, but also informally recognised as the date by which (certainly in Europe) all Christmas decorations have to be down. Which really seems a far better date to make New Year Resolutions – far away from hangovers, chaos and tinsel – and when there’s a general sense of cleansing and moving on. There’s been time to think about what really matters and mull over plans. For instance, I’m taking on this idea..a thought jar..a place for one captivating thought or quote a day which can be put away for a rainy moment…it’s by my computer now.
Charlie and I have also started on our Epiphany Tablecloth..an idea adapted from the lovely Kerry from Love Those Hands at Home (who also sells vintage linen at her etsy shop)…she re-blogged a special story about a family Christmas cloth, with little messages embroidered on every year by members of the family, of love, of happiness, of major events. I recognise my limitations and before Christmas is too much..but now? I want to reminisce about Christmas and year gone by, and I so appreciate these treasures created out of nothing but time and love till they have a magical, talismanic quality created by and just for the family.
Each family member writes their name and something on the cloth with pencil (We want it to be special so we’re using a vintage irish linen tablecloth) then it’s simply embroidered. The original cloth was made with red and green embroidery thread for alternate odd and even years…we’ve gone for white and creams, just to be a bit different., to be able to use it at different times of the year…and keep people looking closer..
There was another post that hit a chord.. Rachel Olsen wrote on the Huffington post about not having a list of resolutions that will inevitably get broken, but rather have a single word that encapsulates the whole year. I’ve thought about what my word would be..fitter? tighter? creative?
But the one I’m going to go with is ‘Zone’. If I can zone my mind to all the things I really want to do…then they’ll all happen.
Well..that’s the plan!
Laters, Zoning already…Kate x
Belting up..
In the ebb and flow of life, the Belt seems to have all but disappeared. A bit like hats. I first saw this one in the window of a shop when Christmas shopping and it stopped me in my tracks. I managed to restrain the desire of buying there and then (just) in the hope it would be in the Sale – and it was, reduced from £49.00 to £29.00 which really is a paltry sum for such a peacock piece – You certainly can’t wear it with your hands folded in your lap.
I want to wear it with a loose silk shirt dress in a dark navy blue. But it’ll work with most staples, taking them on multiple journeys (such a win win).
Pieces like this are so important: Mixing opposites, crafting wrong combinations to create something right..they shouldn’t be ignored.
So I say long live the belt!
Laters, Kate x
Rain, Rain Go Away..
It’s dismal in London with driving rain, strong winds and the knowledge that we’re no longer in the land of fairy lights, pine cones and endless glitter. So I thought what better time than the New Year to break the diet fall off the wagon get even more depressed give me a facelift to give the Blog a facelift?
I’m liking the new size of pictures..
Means you can now see the clouds reflecting in this one.
And this tree.
This is our new pond on the Common. Has the ducks mighty confused.
The weather means the sky has been turning all sorts of colours.
At least we’ve all been safe at home, snuggled up – next week it’s back to the daily grind and the school run…weather please, please improve otherwise I’ll be investing in a fisherman’s sou’wester. And a boat.
Laters, Kate x
Olivia Palermo, Really? x
(Photo by Johannes Huebl/instagram)
So the lovely Olivia Palermo is to become a Missus?…One can only wonder what the wedding will be like…I’ve rather fallen for these pictures from Vogue Tumblr of Caitlin Brown’s and Lee Schwartz’s bohemian wedding taken by Cass Bird…I think they’ll be a shared sense of DNA…but who knows!
(Bridesmaid accessory to die for!)
In our dark days of gales, rain, wind and storms it makes me long for the sun..
Laters, quietly dreaming, Kate x
Room Service x
How so very very. Sigh. The fundamental beauty of vintage linen will always have a special place in my heart (particularly anything with a monogram)..skill, design, crisp cotton and stunning needlework all wrapped up in the bliss of sleep…
But some modern bedlinen also has a touch of magic –
and because of it’s expense, it’s something I try and buy in the sales.
One of my favourite shops is Cologne and Cotton, where all these delights came from, they produce the type of quality that make them the heritage items of the future.
(They also managed to persuade me that white is not the only colour)
However, I do have a gripe about bedlinen in general…
Why is it so user unfriendly?
Wouldn’t life be so much simpler if there was a perfect run of say, beige stitches, that marked the top of an eiderdown, duvet cover or fitted sheet? Even a style of stitches..or a ribbon?
So easy then to line up eiderdown and duvet, particularly on doubles..and imagine never having to re-do a fitted sheet again because you put it on wrong the first time?…
So simple, so never done…time for a revolution?!
Laters, Kate x
Secrets..
Do you know postsecret.com? It’s an online community art project where anyone can anonymously send in a postcard with a secret written on one side…which is then uploaded in all it’s gory glory. From the confessions of a disco queen to the thwarted angst of true love, each one reminds me of the Ernest Hemingway six-word novel:
For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.
The perfect illustration of how small things can have a big impact: These are subtly crafted, often poignant bubbles of true and honest humanity released onto the cyber-ether and I love them..
Laters, Kate x
Happy New Year!! xxx
Happy New Year!!!
Laters, Kate x
The Sales..
After the gluttony of Christmas the January Sales have to put on their best bib and tucker to draw us out again by dangling tempting morsels of true fashion aristocracy…like the chance to clutch an iconic Charlotte Olympia creation reduced from $1556 to $785..tempted?
Or fall asleep knowing these Sleeping Beauty suede pumps are yours: Magically reduced from $995 to $500…almost a steal..
All the rage and quality guaranteed: Balmain skinny leather pants – were an eye-watering $4560 now $1370..a deposit on a car..but these are Balmain!
Made for elegant entrances: MSGM wide leg side stripe pant..dress up, dress down..and down from $400 to a cool $120..
Subtle yet uber sexy, 10 Crosby Derek Lam pyjama shirt. Once $375 now a reachable $190..
Easy on the eye, easier on the wallet: 10 Crosby Derek Lam faux belted leather shorts reduced from $295 to $180..
Add a splash of provocative colour: MSGM floral printed Gazar top, was $905 now $545. You’ll certainly get noticed..
Carven has the best jumpers and this one sings on multiple levels: Colour, texture and the perfect length. Was $390 now $235. (And check out The Outnet for more woolly bargains)
Vamp style: Sergio Rossi Optikala high heeled striped sandal, were $835 now $420…temptation has a name.
An undisputed stalwart of any wardrobe: The biker jacket. This quilted version by Carven was $1995, now $1000…just think, it could be your new best friend..
True fashion will always have a price but I’ve always thought if it takes a bit of pain to gain then it rises above normality and takes on special powers that naturally envelope the wearer. On that basis I think I’d better learn the lesson…and get saving for next year…
(However, if you want to start with a simpler challenge and some group motivation for support then check out Kat the designers Blog..She’s leading the charge for spotlighted New Years resolutions and aims to keep you on the straight and narrow! Good luck!)
Laters, Kate x
A walk in the Woods..
Did you have a lovely Christmas? I hope so!
Spot my new baby..yep..a Hipsters for Sisters leopard bag as drooled over here..and I LOVE it! Versatile, accommodating and a true thrill to wear..the belt option is GENIUS…but it’s so easy to wear cross body as well…love, love, LOVE!
One happy bunny!
We spent yesterday taking the Blanket Coat for a walk, enjoying the blue skies (after all our storms) and blowing some cobwebs at Richmond Park..
You’d never guess we were still in London..
We played poo sticks (I lost).
Saw a woodpecker..
And stood under a parrot tree! (Not for too long..)
Till the dusk came down and it was time to head home..
To a roaring fire and left-over Christmas pudding…heaven!
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
